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Energy company Green Gen Cymru has revealed a new pylon design they describe as “slim and compact,” intended to better suit the Welsh landscape. The proposed structure stands at 22 metres (72 feet), making it significantly shorter than the conventional steel pylons previously planned. This design aims to reduce the visual footprint of the infrastructure, which the firm hopes will lessen community opposition. The new monopole-style pylons will be utilized on two of the three planned routes intended to upgrade the electricity grid across mid and west Wales.
The design of these monopoles draws inspiration from similar structures commonly used throughout Europe. Unlike traditional steel pylons, monopoles consist of a single pole built to carry substantial electrical capacity while maintaining a slender profile. Green Gen Cymru previously proposed 27-metre tall steel pylons, but the monopole alternative would be roughly five metres shorter. Wooden poles, although smaller at about 12 metres high, have a limited capacity to carry electricity. The company argues that monopoles can reduce the number of overhead lines required, thereby mitigating the impact on farmland and scenic views. They also contend that relying fully on underground cables is financially prohibitive and disruptive to communities.
Despite the company’s efforts to innovate, the project has encountered resistance from local communities and environmental groups. The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales acknowledged that the new pylons remain “a major piece of infrastructure in the countryside,” expressing concerns that such developments continue to alter rural landscapes. Additionally, the Welsh government, led by Plaid Cymru, has pledged to limit the use of large-scale steel pylons, favoring underground power lines wherever feasible. Legal challenges from landowners have also been lodged against the proposals, reflecting widespread unease about the project’s effects.
Community reactions to the new pylon design have been mixed. Some locals, like Georgia Rollinson from Carmarthen, see the monopoles as an improvement, with her remarking, “I think I’d prefer that to one of the others. It might blend in better.” Others emphasize the importance of burying cables despite the cost. Anthony Read commented, “It’s all down to cost but if something’s hidden it’s better for the environment.” Conversely, Phillip Richardson criticized the initiative as a waste of funds, questioning the environmental benefits of the redesign. Green Gen Cymru remains committed to deploying these new monopoles alongside wooden poles, underground cables, and traditional pylons as part of a broader strategy to modernize Wales’s electricity infrastructure. The first prototype is expected to be installed by early 2027 for public view
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